The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.81 crore owned by Jagdish Prasad Sarvate, a former Deputy Director in the Tribal Welfare Department, Madhya Pradesh. This action follows an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, based on an FIR by the Economic Offences Wing, Jabalpur.
According to the ED, Sarvate is accused of accumulating assets beyond his known income sources during his tenure. The investigation revealed that Sarvate acquired various properties across districts like Bhopal, Mandla, Umaria, and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh through alleged proceeds of crime. These properties include residential, agricultural, and commercial assets.
The ED alleges that Sarvate used his official position to generate proceeds of crime, which were then laundered through various stages to acquire immovable properties. To prevent asset transfer, the ED has provisionally attached nine properties under the PMLA. This measure aims to secure the assets for potential confiscation proceedings under the Act.
The case originated from earlier investigations by the EOW, which uncovered disproportionate assets linked to Sarvate. Raids at his premises led to the recovery of cash, luxury items, premium liquor bottles, and a tiger skin, resulting in separate wildlife offence proceedings. Further investigations under the PMLA are ongoing to trace additional assets and identify any other involved individuals.
